Crkvine are one of the most important and complex archeological sites in Dalmatia, systematically researched and displayed. Its development begins in the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, centered around a sinkhole with water. The Romans built an outbuilding with water tanks near the road and the Tronum / Trono waystation. During the 5th and 6th centuries, a small church complex with several churches, a baptistery and a cemetery was built on this site, in several stages.

The site was probably abandoned temporarily during the Avar and Slavic attacks in the 7th century. However, during 8/9th century, two smaller early medieval churches were built. After the 10th century, the site was abandoned, and a new church and cemetery were probably built around today’s parish church of St. James. The complex in Crkvine marks a period when Christianity began to develop significantly in the Imotski region.